The aim of this article is to show the development and the origins of identity-based youth groups in Central and Eastern Europe. The rise of these groups, closely related to subcultures, should be perceived not only as one of the ways of fighting the communist regimes in the region, but also as a criticism of pro-democratic dissidents. The opposition's shift towards neoliberal positions, as well as the elitism of the intellectuals forming the movement, left many people-including the young-aside. The cleavage can be seen not only on the discursive level, but also when speaking of tactics used during protest events.